Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
3 Whitacre Mews, Stannary Street
London, SE11 4AB, United Kingdom
Telephone: (020) 7091 7091
Fax: (020) 7820 3131
Email: information@spuc.org.uk

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Abortion by dilation and curettage

This baby was dismembered with a loop-bladed knife called a curette. The procedure is called dilation and curettage (D&C).

D&C is used to treat various uterine conditions in non-pregnant women. However, as an abortion procedure it dismembers the unborn child - as can be seen from the body parts: the torso with hands crossed (centre top), the badly battered head (bottom right), the bruised lower leg and foot (centre bottom).

The mother's cervix (neck of the womb) has to be stretched open prior to the abortion. This can cause damage leading to the death or premature delivery of a baby in a subsequent pregnancy. According to doctors, in Britain steps are now taken in National Health Service hospital abortions to soften the cervix to minimise this risk. However, this is not required by law and it is not known whether such measures are taken in private sector abortions.

To check if any fetal parts might still be in the womb a nurse has to examine the baby's remains, but the abortion may still be incomplete with risks of haemorrhage and sepsis (Abortion hazards, GP, 11 May 1979).